Jerry Jones acknowledges Zeke's camp absence: 'He's late'

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on Friday that running back Ezekiel Elliott missed the beginning of training camp due to a contract dispute.

"He's late," Jones told reporters in Oxnard, Calif. "He's a non-report, officially."

Jones wouldn't divulge whether he plans to fine Elliott for holding out. Players are subject to a $40,000 penalty for every day of training camp they skip while signed to a deal.

"We expect everybody that's under contract to be here at camp," Jones said. "They've agreed to be here."

Elliott has been seeking a deal that tops the four-year, $57-million pact Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley signed last summer, sources told Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports.

Several Cowboys players are nearing the end of their contracts, including Elliott, quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver Amari Cooper, cornerback Byron Jones, and linebacker Jaylon Smith.

"This is business as usual," said Jones, who was adamant that Elliott's absence wouldn't affect his excitement for the upcoming season.

The 76-year-old added that he's confident in being able to keep the Cowboys' core intact, even with the uncertainty surrounding so many star players.

Elliott is due to make $3.85 million this year, and then $9.1 million in 2020 while playing under the fifth-year option the Cowboys exercised on his rookie contract.

Drafted fourth overall in 2016 out of Ohio State, Elliott has led the NFL in rushing twice over the first three years of his career. In 2017, he ran for 983 yards after being suspended six games for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

Dallas went through physicals during the opening day of training camp on Friday, and the team will hold its first practice Saturday.